Jackson Civic Center grand opening set for Jan. 24

With only three weeks left before the Jackson Civic Center's grand opening, fundraising efforts have kicked into high gear to obtain extra equipment for the facility.

The facility's grand opening will be at 2 p.m. Jan. 24. By the end of 2015, $141,000 had been donated, Kathy Johnson, chairwoman of the Civic Center fundraising committee, said Friday.

"The fundraising is going very well," she said. "The checks are still coming in."

The collected list of needs for the facility includes 30 items, ranging from kitchen equipment and sports equipment to cleaning carts, supplies and coat racks.

In total, items with set price tags -- not including flexible expenses for board games, tables and chairs, etc. -- come to more than $200,000.

The most expensive item, additional parking, costs $150,000.

So far, donations have come from about 30 organizations or individuals, Johnson said, and the donations' effect already is being seen.

Furniture is arriving daily, kitchen appliances have been installed, and more parking is being added.

"The Optimist Clubs were the first donors," she said. "We were thankful that they gave a nice amount."

During it all, she said, the civic center's staff is busy preparing for the opening.

"There are people over there all the time," she said. "And we have people who are calling in probably four to five times a day to book [the gymnasium/reception spaces]."

Donors who contribute before April 1 are considered "founding donors" and are eligible for inclusion in a founding donation wall display. Personalized bricks in three sizes also are available.

Donors also may stipulate their donation be used for a purpose or item.

"Some people have chosen to put it in parking or kitchen equipment," Johnson said.

One reason Jackson city officials built the facility is to compete with the public activity centers in surrounding communities such as Cape Girardeau and Perryville, Missouri. But there are indications the prospect of a well-furnished civic center is being embraced even by people who aren't Jackson residents.

"We're actually getting a number of contributions from donors in Cape," Johnson said, which she said is a welcome surprise.

She said she hopes donations will continue to arrive, but the community response so far already has been surprising.

"It really is unbelievable, the level of enthusiasm," she said, "how people in the community are supporting this fundraising effort."

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627